As you entered Fogasház, there used to be a few sofas, a bike storage and a cloakroom on the left, and there was a section closed off from partygoers. But then Liebling opened creating a warm place for casual warm-up drinks, frequent live music events and Hungarian folk dance houses. From spring, they will also have an upstairs terrace with an “urban jungle” vibe.
As we step inside the place designed by Gergő Szuhay, we immediately notice something apart from the homely atmosphere: the thick parquet floor crackles and creaks quite intensely. It is just like when you try to sneak quietly around your apartment because your flatmates are sleeping, yet you end up making terrible noise. Anyway, the floor adds to Liebling’s friendly atmosphere, and its wooden spiral staircase is one of our favourites as well. Thanks to the 400 light bulbs, the lighting is pleasant too and this place is definitely rendezvous compatible.
The logo is quite witty, as well: on the one hand the Y forms a glass, which is pretty clear, but if we let our imagination go a bit, we can also see a female bosom in the image too. Take a look below and see if you can find it.
The idea to fill the unused space with something a bit different from the Fogas, LÄRM, or Mazel Tov style, has been around for a while. Either way we look at it, one of Budapest’s favourite party areas does not offer many opportunities for “warming up” (talking, drinking special beverages, or more intimate retreats). While there is a dance floor next door, the garden section, the old tenement yard, and the first floor are all too noisy to keep up a real conversation – if we wanted to talk, we had to choose from other nearby places. But from now on, we have Liebling, only a few steps on from the next party. Thus the entertainment block of Akácfa Street has somehow become complete.
According to the plans, they will be open seven days a week and will operate with special programs, like the Thursday Hungarian folk dance house, which is a rather niche recreational program but still a lot of fun. In addition, they are also planning to invite lesser-known yet exceptional musicians, whether they are young students from the Conservatory, tradition-rich cimbalom players etc. We should not expect hard techno parties here, though we do not have to go far for one of course.
Liebling sticks with a more eclectic form of entertainment. They gladly help out with birthday parties as well, since the DJ booth and a good sound system are available. Moreover, we can find a small, lockable room behind the stairs, which is the equivalent of a closet or pantry at a house party. Use it responsibly.As for the drink selection at Liebling, we can find numerous special spirits on the menu: smooth vodkas, smoky whiskeys, matured rums, and even draft cider. The kitchen is a must-try as well, and the place’s spirit obviously means homely flavours: eggplant cream (550 forint), goulash (700 forint), pig slaughter selection plate (1350 forint), and our personal favourite fried ribs with mayonnaise rice (1250 forint). Their double chocolate cake (550 forint) looks very massive, yet the taste experience is soft and creamy. And after, during or instead of dinner, we can toast and talk with our friends, our lieblings.
